Sleep Apnea...Proceeding after diagnosis

"First Do No Harm" - Hippocratic Oath

Not many doctors believe in that anymore.

 

What does this have to do with what I said??

 

3 am huh? No way that played a part.. Nah

 

Not true, I just bought a returned cpap machine from a medical supplier - total cost was $178 and change. It does almost everything my new machine is supposed to do - I just order that one.

FDA approval for the first version of a machine is expensive, they go through a process not just for the efficacy of the device but the manufacturer, but after that the expense drops considerably.

ALSO the only real monitoring requirement that is needed is to see usage, which all machines since the early 2000's have been able to do.

Not true, I've had it all my life, since I was a child. It didn't take long for me to understand the advantages of having it when I finally got to getting a sleep study.

 

I bought my machine used; paid about $300 for it. It had about 30 hours on it. I was speaking about new machines, sold at list price.

Some people have had it all their lives. For most of us, however, it develops as we get fat and lazy in adulthood...

 

OK I got that, sorry but I want people to know that you don't need a new machine, to be exact you can use an older one as long as they can read the usage with a card (somewhat of a newer thing in the last 5 years. Too many are told that they have to get a new machine but they do the same thing - give you pressurized air to breath.

Yes I agree that some, not most develope it after they age, but you don't have to get fat and lazy.

 

Something that I find puzzling that nobody has really mentioned is that every reputable doctor my wife and I have ever seen for a medical card has always given us a questionnaire (either on paper or verbally) about sleep apnea symptoms and risks. It is a common universal evaluation that determines your likelihood of having it. Unless you meet 2 - 3 of the symptoms you are not required to have a sleep study. It sounds like Crete does none of that and sends guys off for testing based mostly on weight. Sleep apnea does not affect overweight people only. It can affect a skinny person just as much, but as far as Crete is concerned if you're fat you have it and if you're thin they don't care if you do or don't.

The good that has come out of all of this is that this has been brought to the forefront of any potential Crete drivers that they need to think long and hard before they go to this company. There is a good chance of being diagnosed with sleep apnea and being saddled with the costs associated with that.

We all can agree that there are companies like CR England that push their lease purchase on drivers in order to profit from them. With the knowledge that drivers have gained about scams such as that we are not as willing to drink their kool aid and they are forced to find other, more nuanced ways of profiting from the drivers.

Enter the sleep apnea scam. It masquerades as a medical condition that you had no idea you were afflicted with (gasp!) and turns quickly into "Well Timmy, luckily we've caught it early and you're going to live (sigh of relief) but you'll only be ok if you buy this $900 CPAP machine. Yes they are cheaper elsewhere but don't pay attention to this hand taking money from your pocket, look at this other hand showing you how to put on your shiny new piece of equipment"

Companies will always find a way to increase profits and sadly some companies rely heavily on making money off their drivers instead of making money off their clients.

 

Ok I have a question if they make you test for it and diagnose you with it, why don't they supply the machine and supplies for you or free. What if you have the company insurance I assume this can apply to the needed items, I'm asking mainly because I am the next moron up got call in for a test and debating about quitting

 

No, your insurance doesn't cover it. They take $50 from your paycheck every week till it's paid.

Don't let them diagnose you with it.

If they paid for it all....you would be okay with being diagnosed and kneeling before Lord CPAP ? If so then the Emperor will be very pleased to hear that.

 

You can let the test you, but if you're diagnosed, quit before signing anything after the test. Be prepared, you're going to be tired and they're gonna shove papers in front of you. Dont sign!